WAR MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN - The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History

The WAR MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN, also known as the "Fountain of Eternal Life," located on Mall A and bounded on the west by SOCIETY CENTER, on the south by the CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY, and on the east by the Cleveland Board of Education Bldg., is Cleveland's major memorial to those citizens who served in WORLD WAR II. Its building was initiated and promoted by the CLEVELAND PRESS, which raised $250,000 in donations from citizens and organizations for the project. It was designed by sculptor Marshall Fredericks and dedicated 30 May 1964. The centerpiece is a 35' bronze figure representing man escaping from the flames of war and reaching skyward for eternal peace. The bronze sphere from which the figure rises represents superstitions and legends of mankind. Four granite carvings surround the sphere and represent the geographic civilizations of the world. On the surface of the polished granite rim surrounding the fountain are bronze plates bearing the names of 4,000 Greater Clevelanders who perished in World War II and in the KOREAN WAR. Following a complete restoration during the construction of an underlying parking garage in connection with the neighboring Society Ctr., the memorial was rededicated on Veterans Day 1991.

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